What began as a simple act of kindness — helping a neighbor’s father with Parkinson’s — turned into a life-changing calling for Nicol Wildeman. Over four years, she grew from a visiting friend into a trusted caregiver for multiple families in the Houston suburb of Cypress. Her husband Shane, an engineering manager, saw her passion and wanted to help turn it into something more. Now, the couple is doing just that with the launch of their Griswold franchise. Together, they’re building a family business that reflects their values of compassion, service and community — offering trusted care for seniors while building a lasting legacy for their own children.

1851 spoke with the couple to learn more about their story, what drew them to Griswold and their plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Shane Wildeman: I’m an engineering manager here in Houston. We’re both originally from Michigan and moved to Houston for my job in 2019. Nicol has a background in education and loves to help others. Nicol and I saw an opportunity to give back and help others through Griswold.

Nicol Wildeman: I used to be a special ed teacher — that was really my calling. I love helping people. I also coach volleyball and basketball. When we moved to Texas, I stayed home for a bit and ended up helping a gentleman with Parkinson’s through a family I met. I was just visiting at first, but we became really close, and I helped his family for more than four years. After that, it just kind of snowballed — I started helping more seniors in the area who needed support.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Shane: We had always thought about doing something on our own. Franchising came into the picture when our son started working for a company on the franchise side. We looked at that business, but there wasn’t any available territory nearby — and we weren’t planning to move. If we were going to do something, it had to be something we were passionate about. Then someone from Griswold reached out. After doing some research and talking to the team, it just felt right. Nicol was already doing this work in the community — this gave us a way to do it on a bigger scale.

Nicol: All the families I had worked with always told me, “This is what you should do.”

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Shane: I felt really comfortable with the Griswold team right away. I hadn’t heard of the brand before, but after learning the story and getting to know the people, it just felt like a great fit. I didn’t look into any other home care franchises after that. Everything about their mission and their commitment to seniors made me feel confident.

Nicol: We also spoke with other Griswold franchisees in Houston, and they were such great people. I asked them a lot of questions — especially about what happens in the homes — because I’ve been there. I’ve done this work, so I knew what I was looking for.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Shane: First, we want to get this location running smoothly — and then we want to grow into a second location. For us, this is about more than business. We want to give back and make an impact. Getting the Griswold name out there and helping families in the community is our main focus.

Nicol: My dad owned a family shoe store for over 50 years. I worked there for a long time and saw firsthand how that kind of business can support and shape a community. That stuck with me. We want to do something that brings that same value to people here.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Nicol: We have two children — a 21-year-old son and an 18-year-old daughter. As they get older and move into the next chapter of their lives, we want to create something that reflects who we are and maybe even becomes something they’re part of one day.

Shane: That’s the hope — that one day, they’ll want to be involved and help continue what we’ve started.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Shane: I’ve always been cautious about jumping into something without knowing how it would end. But when you find the right opportunity, you just know. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Starting can feel overwhelming, but if you have the drive and determination, there’s no reason to hold back. Just go for it.

ABOUT GRISWOLD

With 196 locations across 31 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing professional, compassionate Caregivers 24/7. Griswold’s “Live Assured” promise gives both clients and their loved ones peace of mind, so they can live without the weight of worry. Griswold helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age, onset of illness, or post-surgery recovery through services including companion care, home services, personal care, and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions. In 2024, Griswold was ranked #206 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and named a 2023, 2024 and 2025 Best of Home Care® Endorsed National Provider. For more information, visit www.griswoldcare.com or call 215.402.0200.